Beauty Sleep: A Retelling of "Sleeping Beauty"

Prompted by a book challenge, I've been reading more of the fairy tale retellings that have been patiently sitting on my shelves, waiting their time. Beauty Sleep is a part of the "Once Upon a Time" series. I'm an avid fan of this particular sub genre of fantasy and bought several books from this series when I first saw them, lured by the synopses and pretty covers. Thus far, the series has delivered interesting variants of old classics, and as with any series, some books are better than others.

This story is one of the highlights of the series. Dokey writes her own version of sleeping beauty, where the Princess Aurore is smart and independent, and doesn't succumb to her fate like a slaughtered lamb. The setting is original, and clearly show more explains how such a "curse" on her would be possible in that world, and what the consequences of avoiding her fate might be. I liked how the people actually needed or wanted her to fall into an enchanted sleep, as her avoidance of that fate has brought supernatural disasters upon the kingdom. I also liked the fact that her parents defended her and protected her to the best of their abilities.

Yet Aurore cares too much for her people, and decides to leave her kingdom to spare them a curse that was meant just for her. Again, instead of simply fulfilling the curse and pricking her finger, she decides to take fate in her own hands and see what will become of her in the enchanted woods that border her home.

In the end, she does fulfill the curse put upon her, but in her own choosing and shaped by her own wishes. Rather than sleep for centuries, her sleep just encompasses centuries within moments, and the enchanted forest is what makes the time in the outside world progress so rapidly without her. Aurore is not meek and doesn't slumber away while a prince does all the action; instead, she is an adventurer, finding her way in the forest, seeking out her own prince and not having one foisted upon her. I love the way Dokey takes a passive princess from the original fairy tale and transforms her into a strong and intelligent woman who shapes her own life, not to mention choosing her own love rather than being guided by a kiss from a stranger. If you're looking for something different than the usual sleeping beauty fare, this is a good book to read. show less

I'll admit, I had very low expectations for this one. It's a part of a series of itty bitty early-2000s books that somehow fell into my path (over and over again) and this was more to scratch the curiosity itch than anything. But I was really pleased with how unexpected it was. So much so that I'm just squinting at these apparently furious reviews like??? we read the same thing, right??? far from perfect but far from deserving of so much rage lmao

Mainly I was really impressed with how it married the sparse sort of fairy-tale narration style with having so many fully-realised and fascinating characters. She really made the most of the space she was given - the book isn't even 200 pages. I was really rooting for the friendships and show more families in this one :D

I will say that I don't think the 'twist' on the original tale was really the best (or most coherent) choice with the themes - that didn't feel like it tied in, and also I predicted it, but it was fun enough.

I'll read more of this series now and hope they'll all be this sweet!!! show less

Alas, not nearly enough Oswald. Which is, no doubt, an unpopular opinion. But I am a reader of Jane Austen: cousins marrying in a clearly old-fashioned setting doesn't really bother me. Especially when one cousin has longed for family and to belong his whole life and clearly thinks the other cousin is singular and remarkable. (See? Already more appealing than Austen.)

The final word: My favorite Sleeping Beauty retelling ever. (4/5)

Description: When Aurore was born, she was placed under two conflicting spells. One aimed to kill her, and one aimed to save her. When the clash between these spells threatens the kingdom and the people she loves, Aurore must make a difficult choice: should she stay or go?

My thoughts: After finishing this book, I immediately added the rest of Dokey's Once Upon a Time series to my TBR list. She managed to take the most powerless fairy-tale "heroine" of all time and turn her into a character I could respect. Aurore is a heroine I loved reading about. She's smart, adventurous, and kind.

I also loved the romance in this story. It was low-key, and totally appropriate for show more young teens on up, but very sweet and touching. The whole "sleeping for a hundred years, being kissed by random princes" thing has always creeped me out, but this story manages it handily, with a totally different interpretation. Zero creepage.

This story may be a little young for some readers, but I found it a fun, fast read that I will definitely revisit. If you like fairy-tale retellings, this is a good one to add to your list. show less

This intriguing spin on Sleeping Beauty is a tale of a young girl, Aurore, who at birth is cursed with a 100 year sleep if pricked on the finger. Her parents forbid her from sewing and needlework, however Aurore, sick of living her life in caution, goes on a quest to La Foret. She meets a man whose journey is to kiss a beautiful princess sleeping in the woods. Aurore, aware that this is the cure for her curse, is alarmed, and believes it must be another princess. Their journey through the woods is captivating and enchanting, gripping the reader with suspense and a surprising twist. This is a quick read, and is a fresh version of an old fairy tale.

Although it was fairly well-written, this lackluster retelling of the Sleeping Beauty myth suffers from lack of character development. The first person narration by Princess Aurore is so bland, I quickly lost all interest in her. I found the way the author re-interpreted Prince Charming ridiculous and unbelievable … and frankly, more than a bit icky. Spoiler – they are too closely related for my comfort … um, eeewwwww.

Not fine literature, of course, but I am just charmed by this series, Cameron Dokey's contributions especially.  More world-building than adventure & character dev. combined, and that's fine with me.  I read modern and alternate fairy-tales because I like to see what modern authors do with the tropes - and Dokey can be counted on to have some fun & interesting ideas about magic, romance, princesses, peasants, quests... I am sorry I'm running out of these stories.